Sales Manager Resume Examples

As a sales manager, writing a resume can feel like closing a deal without knowing your client's needs. You know you're skilled at driving results, but translating those skills into a compelling resume can be challenging. You might struggle with highlighting your achievements or worry your resume won't stand out. The job market is competitive, and as a sales expert, you know the importance of a strong pitch—and your resume is that pitch. This guide will help you overcome these hurdles and create a resume that lands you the role you deserve.

Choosing the right resume template is crucial for a sales manager’s success. It can make your achievements pop and tell your career story effectively. The right layout not only catches the eye but also ensures your key skills are highlighted. Don't miss out on your dream job because your resume didn't impress! Start with a killer template.

Explore our library of over 700 resume examples to fast-track your success.

What to focus on when writing your sales manager resume

A sales manager resume should convey your experience, leadership abilities, and results-driven mindset to the recruiter. Highlight your skills in team management, strategic planning, and surpassing sales targets. Use simple, clear language to showcase your achievements and professional growth.

To boost the impact of your sales manager resume, include:

• Specific sales targets exceeded
• Team leadership experiences
• Metrics on revenue growth
• Examples of strategic initiatives led.

Must have information on your sales manager resume

As a sales manager, your resume should highlight your leadership and sales achievements to make a strong impression. Essential sections include:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Work Experience
• Key Skills
• Education
• Certifications

Additional sections like "Awards and Recognitions" and "Professional Affiliations" can further showcase your expertise and industry involvement. Including "Projects" and "Languages" can also provide a more comprehensive view of your capabilities.

Which resume format to choose

For a sales manager resume, the best format is the reverse-chronological style, as it highlights your recent experience and career progression. Use modern fonts like Rubik or Montserrat to give your resume a fresh and professional look, instead of outdated fonts like Arial or Times New Roman. Always save your resume as a PDF to ensure formatting remains consistent when reviewed on different devices. Keep your margins at 1 inch on all sides to ensure readability and avoid clutter.

Section headings should be clear and simple as this helps applicant tracking systems (ATS) parse your information effectively. Essential sections for a sales manager resume include:

• Contact Information
• Summary
• Work Experience
• Education
• Skills
• Certifications
• Achievements
• References (optional)

Resume Mentor's free resume builder handles all of this, making it easy to create a professional and effective resume in no time.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

Writing the experience section of your sales manager resume can be a bit tricky. You want it clear, effective, and true. The order of your resume should be from your most recent job to the older ones. Including all job titles that are relevant is important. Going back around 15 years is good enough. Including every job might make it too long and hard to read.

For a sales manager, your resume should be designed based on the job you’re applying for. Using action words can highlight your skills better. Choose words like "achieved," "boosted," "supported," or "directed" instead.

Action words make your resume feel active and strong. Numbers and achievements help the employer see what you have done and how you can help them. Let’s look at two experience examples. One is bad, and one is good.

This example is not detailed enough. The bullets are vague. "Managed sales team" does not show how big the team was or what improvements were made. "Increased sales" and "Worked with clients" are there but not explained.

Now, let’s see how you can make it better.

This example is much better. It uses specific numbers and achievements. "Led a team of 10 sales representatives" with a 30% increase shows clear results. The actions are clear, and employers can see what you have done.

Making your sales manager resume strong is important. Use action words, include achievements, and tailor your resume. Keeping it simple and clear can help you stand out.

Sales manager resume experience examples

Intro

Looking for a sales manager resume that gets you to the "top shelf"? You're in the right aisle! Here’s how you can shine in fifteen different flavors of focused experience sections.

Achievement-focused

Highlight the tangible results you've accomplished in your sales career, showcasing top-level achievements to impress potential employers.

Skills-focused

Highlight key skills relevant to a sales manager, particularly those that are transferable and beneficial in daily operations.

Responsibility-focused

Showcase your ability to handle key responsibilities that make the sales team operate smoothly and efficiently.

Project-focused

Emphasize specific projects you've led or been a crucial part of, demonstrating your project management skills.

Result-focused

Focus on the results of your work, showing exactly what you've achieved in your role as a sales manager.

Industry-Specific Focus

Tailor your experience to show your expertise in a particular industry, making you a more attractive candidate for similar roles.

Problem-Solving focused

Detail your problem-solving skills and how they have helped overcome challenges within your role.

Innovation-focused

Show your ability to innovate and bring fresh ideas that propel the sales operations forward.

Leadership-focused

Demonstrate your leadership abilities and how your guidance and vision have driven your team's success.

Customer-focused

Showcase how your customer-centric approach has driven sales and loyalty.

Growth-focused

Illustrate how you've facilitated growth in your sales role, whether for your team, department, or company.

Efficiency-focused

Mention how you've streamlined processes and increased efficiency in your sales operations.

Technology-focused

Show your adeptness at utilizing technology to improve sales performance and operations.

Collaboration-focused

Highlight your ability to work effectively with other departments or teams to achieve common goals.

Training and Development focused

Emphasize your role in training and developing the skills of your sales team to optimize performance.

Write your sales manager resume summary section

Writing a captivating resume summary section as a sales manager can set the stage for employers to see your strengths right from the start. Keep your summary concise and focused. State your most impressive achievements and relevant skills for the role. Doing this can grab the attention of hiring managers quickly.

When describing yourself, emphasize accomplishments that illustrate your leadership and sales abilities. Use numbers to back your claims, like percentage increases in sales or revenue growth. Keep your language confident but not boastful. Avoid vague descriptions and ensure every sentence adds value to your profile.

A summary provides a broad overview of your career and key achievements in a few sentences. A resume objective, on the other hand, states your career goals and what you aim to achieve in the role. A resume profile is similar to a summary but usually a bit longer and more detailed. A summary of qualifications is a bulleted list of your top qualifications and skills.

The above example is poorly written because it lacks specific details and accomplishments. It uses vague terms like "experienced" and "good communication skills" without any evidence or metrics to support these claims. It also focuses too much on what the candidate wants rather than what they can offer.

The second example is well-written because it provides quantifiable achievements and specific skills. It highlights your experience and the direct impact you had on sales and team performance. This summary clearly shows your value to potential employers, encouraging them to read further.

Listing your sales manager skills on your resume

Writing your skills section for a sales manager resume involves showcasing both hard and soft skills. Your skills section can be a standalone section, but you can also incorporate skills into your experience and summary sections.

Highlighting your strengths and soft skills shows your ability to engage and lead teams effectively. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities or knowledge sets, like proficiency in CRM software or sales forecasting.

Using skills and strengths as resume keywords can help your resume pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS) and catch the attention of hiring managers.

This skills section is concise, specific, and relevant to the position. It demonstrates a balance of hard and soft skills crucial for a sales manager. Each skill listed is directly tied to common responsibilities in sales management, showing a range of competencies.

Best hard skills to feature on your sales manager resume

Hard skills for a sales manager should communicate proficiency in tools, techniques, and methods critical to driving sales and managing teams. These skills show that you can effectively execute sales strategies and analyze performance metrics.

Best soft skills to feature on your sales manager resume

Soft skills for a sales manager should convey your ability to lead, motivate, and communicate effectively with your team and clients. These skills ensure that you can navigate challenging situations and maintain strong professional relationships.

How to include your education on your resume

An education section is an important part of your sales manager resume. It's essential to tailor this section to the job you're applying for. Do not include irrelevant education. Display your academic credentials clearly.

When including GPA, only list it if it is above 3.5. You should list honors like cum laude next to your degree. Write your degree clearly, including the field of study, the institution, and the dates attended.

This example is bad because it includes a degree in History, which is likely irrelevant for a sales manager position.

This example is good because it lists a degree in Marketing, which is highly relevant for a sales manager position. The GPA is strong and included, showing academic excellence.

How to include sales manager certificates on your resume

Including a certificates section on your sales manager resume is essential. Certificates validate your skills and enhance your credibility. List the name of each certificate clearly. Include the date you received each one, as well as the issuing organization. Use reverse chronological order to highlight your most recent achievements first. Certificates can also be showcased in the header for immediate visibility. For example, you could format it as "John Doe, MBA, Salesforce Certified."

A well-crafted certificates section not only informs potential employers of your qualifications but also demonstrates your commitment to professional development. An example of a good certificates section for a sales manager could look like this:

This example is effective because the certificates listed are directly relevant to a sales manager role. It shows that you have specialized skills and knowledge in sales systems and leadership. The detailed format makes it easy to read and understand. Each certificate is presented with its title and issuer, making your qualifications clear for hiring managers.

Extra sections to include in your sales manager resume

Crafting an effective resume can make all the difference in landing your next sales management position. When including various sections in your resume, it's essential to focus on what adds real value to your application and helps you stand out.

• Language section — List any languages you speak and your proficiency levels. Highlighting language skills can show your ability to communicate with a diverse clientele and work in international markets.

• Hobbies and interests section — Briefly mention hobbies and interests related to teamwork, leadership, or sales. This can give potential employers a glimpse into your personality and soft skills, making you a more compelling candidate.

• Volunteer work section — Describe your volunteer experiences and the roles you played. Demonstrating involvement in volunteer work shows your commitment to community and your ability to handle responsibilities outside of work.

• Books section — List influential books you have read, especially those related to sales and leadership. Sharing your reading list indicates your commitment to personal and professional development, which is highly valued in a sales manager role.

Pair your sales manager resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a document submitted with your resume that provides additional information on your skills and experience. It allows you to explain why you are a good fit for the job and to showcase your personality. A well-written cover letter can make you stand out to hiring managers and can help you get an interview.

For a sales manager position, your cover letter should focus on your ability to drive sales, lead teams, and develop successful strategies. Highlight your past sales achievements and leadership experiences. Mention any specific skills or certifications that are relevant to the role. Emphasize your ability to communicate effectively and build relationships with clients.

Start crafting your perfect cover letter using Resume Mentor's cover letter builder. It's easy to use and keeps your content and formatting secure with PDF exporting.